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Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Rest in Peace, Byron Charlton

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The AFL-CIO is mourning the death of our dear former colleague Byron Charlton (TNG-CWA). Most recently, Byron worked as a legislative representative, but his commitment to and history with the labor movement was deep. Byron was a trade unionist to his core. From his days as a steelworker in Radford, Virginia, to his central role in organizing the Newport News Shipyard to his advocacy for the labor movement’s agenda on Capitol Hill, particularly around federal employee issues, Byron’s service to our movement spanned half a century. Byron also made his mark on the world stage, including a stint as assistant to the executive director of the African American Labor Center. Simply put, if you knew the AFL-CIO, you knew Byron. He was a warm and thoughtful colleague, someone who would pop into your office just to see how you were doing...

Top 10 AFL-CIO Blog Posts of 2020

By any measure, 2020 has been one of the most historic years in recent memory. Working people across the country stepped up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, continued to organize their workplaces and came together to help elect a labor-friendly president and vice president in Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. We covered these stories and many others throughout the year and here are the top 10 most-read stories by you, our readers.

1. In Memoriam: Union Members Lost in COVID-19 Pandemic: "As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the United States, our sisters, brothers and friends in the labor movement are among the first casualties. It is important for us to work together during this crisis to prevent further deaths. It is important to thank those who are doing the work to keep us safe and fed. It is important to remember those who we lost because of the coronavirus."

2. Working People Respond to the Killing of George Floyd with Nationwide Protests: "Racism plays an insidious role in the daily lives of all working people of color. This is a labor issue because it is a workplace issue. It is a...

COVID-19 Relief Now: What Working People Are Doing This Week

Welcome to our regular feature, a look at what the various AFL-CIO unions and other working family organizations are doing across the country and beyond. The labor movement is big and active—here's a look at the broad range of activities we're engaged in this week.

Actors' Equity:

Save Our Stages is an important first step. Art workers also need access to COBRA subsidies for health insurance. #SaveOurStages #SaveLiveEventsNow https://t.co/71cL2IeKYr
— Actors' Equity (@ActorsEquity) December 17, 2020

AFGE:

As COVID-19 cases continue to skyrocket, the Veterans Affairs Department must PROTECT FRONT-LINE WORKERS who care for our nation's veterans! All front-line workers must be protected! #1u #VeteranAffairs #Veterans pic.twitter.com/WM7se88BmO
— AFGE (@AFGENational) December 17, 2020

AFSCME:

Georgians aren’t done making their choices in this election. Longtime Atlanta bus driver Quentin Hutchins tells us why it’s so vital to vote for @ReverendWarnock and Jon @Ossoff in...

What's New at Museums This Year? Labor Unions.

Despite the challenging environment of 2020, museum workers have scored a series of organizing victories. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced organizers to adjust their efforts and try new approaches to bringing workers together. The series of successes serve as examples that other organizing drives can learn from and help more working people have a voice on the job.

Here are the recent museum organizing wins:

Carnegie Museum Workers in Pittsburgh Vote Overwhelmingly to Join USW: Workers at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania, started organizing in order to win better pay and benefits, inclusivity in hiring, increased transparency, a safer workplace and other goals. The 500 workers successfully voted to form the United Museum Workers. The scientists, educators, art handlers, administrative staff, gift shop clerks, ushers and other workers are employed at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Carnegie Science Center and the Andy Warhol Museum. Gabi DiDonna, an associate registrar at the Carnegie Museum of Art, said: "We are thrilled to become...